FINDING, NEGOTIATING, AND HIRING VENDORS

FINDING YOUR VENDORS: If you've started planning your wedding, you're likely aware of the amount of choices out there when it comes to selecting vendors. Between navigating preferred vendor lists and listening to those around you it can become a little overwhelming to say the least. Some of the best recommendations can come from the people you know and trust, but not always. Have you ever recommended someone, and it didn’t go well? Don’t just rely on your friend’s one experience. Do your research, ask your vendors, read reviews, look at more of their work in magazines, social media, and attend local bridal shows.

Wedding magazines and blogs can be a wealth of vendor leads in several different ways. Search for real weddings or editorials and reach out to anyone whose work you love. Check to see if there is a vendor directory, a hand-picked selection of vendors that have been vetted in some way. Our vendors have been hand-selected by our publisher based on vendor recommendations, reviews, and real bride’s feedback. If you love a publication, chances are you’ll love the vendors they feature!

Bridal shows are a great way to meet vendors in person, taste catering, sample desserts and see rentals first hand. Photographers and wedding planners are two important vendors that you will be spending a lot of time with on your wedding day. Bridal shows are a great way to talk to them face to face and make sure the two of you hit it off!

ASK FOR REFERRALS: Once you’ve found a vendor you like and trust, don’t be shy about asking them for referrals to help you choose the rest of your team. They’ll be happy to make recommendations based on the experiences they’ve had in the past at other events. If you’ve been to any weddings lately, be sure to ask the newlyweds if they worked with a vendor they loved (or didn’t love!). Their experience might help point you in the right direction.

NEGOTIATING WITH VENDORS: If a vendor asks you what your budget is, be honest. They are not trying to scam you; they are trying to work with you. If you don’t know your exact budget, a range is fine. This will help them get an idea of what to present to you that fits within your budget or to let you know right off the bat that they may not be a good fit due to budget. If you have a budget of $1,500 for photography and the photographer’s lowest package is $3,000, there is no reason to waste either of your time.

So what do you do if a vendor is out of your budget? Vendors have set their prices with careful thought, so it’s unreasonable to expect them to lower their standard pricing without giving up something in return. It’s also not fair to ask them to price match or mention that another vendor is cheaper. They set their prices based on experience, education, overhead, labor, material and general business costs. Remember you get what you pay for! If the price quoted is beyond your budget and you really want to work with them, see if you can deduct something from what they present. Maybe that is choosing a less expensive flower for your floral arrangements, reducing the hours of coverage, or not doing an envelope liner in that fancy stationery suite you couldn’t live without.

HIRING VENDORS: We wouldn’t recommend hiring any other vendor (unless it’s a wedding planner) before you’ve signed and booked your venue.

Your location will dictate the style, travel fees, and the hours included in the rental. It will also let you know, if you will need tables or chair rentals unless they are a part of your venue package.

Don’t be in a rush to hire the first vendor you find or hire someone just because you know them. While sometimes this can work out, there have been times we have seen a relationship and a wedding ruined over hiring a friend. Just because your cousin got a new camera doesn’t make them a wedding photographer. Just because your college BFF decided to watch a YouTube video on using fondant doesn’t make her a professional wedding cake artist. Ensure that whoever you are hiring -friend or not, has the experience and reviews to back up their work.